New Delhi, Oct 27: People living near National Highway toll plazas will soon have a cheaper option for frequent travel, with the Centre introducing a special annual pass for eligible private vehicle owners from November 1, 2026.

Under the new scheme, residents living within 20 km of an eligible toll plaza can get an annual pass for ₹1,500 or ₹3,000, depending on the location of the plaza.

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways said the initiative is aimed at reducing travel expenses for people who regularly cross toll plazas near their homes.

The annual fee will be ₹1,500 for toll plazas located outside municipal or local town limits. For plazas within these limits, the fee will be ₹3,000.

Who can get the new toll pass?

The facility will be available to eligible owners of private, non-commercial vehicles who live within 20 km of a designated toll plaza. Their vehicles must have a valid and working FASTag.

FASTag is an electronic payment system that allows vehicles to pay toll charges without stopping to pay cash at toll booths.

Eligible motorists will be able to choose between the existing monthly pass and the new annual pass for a particular toll plaza. However, the annual pass will be valid only at the designated plaza and cannot be used at other toll booths.

The scheme will not apply to National Highways and expressways where toll charges are collected under a closed user-fee system. The pass will also not be available at locations where a service road or an alternative road is provided for commuters.

When will the facility be available?

According to the ministry, the annual pass will be available at eligible toll plazas from November 1, 2026.

Motorists will also be able to access the facility through the Rajmargyatra mobile application from December 1, 2026.

The government has introduced the provision through the National Highways Fee (Determination of Rates and Collection) (Fifth Amendment) Rules, 2026, under the National Highways Act, 1956.

The Centre may revise the annual pass charges every year. Any changes to the rates will come into effect from April 1 of the relevant year.

What does this mean for motorists?

The new pass is expected to benefit people who frequently travel through a toll plaza located close to their homes, particularly those who commute regularly for work or other daily activities.

With more than 13 crore FASTags issued across the country, the government is looking to provide an additional payment option for eligible motorists.

However, not everyone living near a highway will automatically qualify. The facility will depend on the distance from the toll plaza, the type of vehicle, and the eligibility conditions applicable at that location.

The ministry said the initiative is intended to make regular travel more affordable and improve convenience for residents living near National Highway toll plazas. (With ANI inputs)